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We’ve previously seen a photo of one of the replicas of an Astor medal that I found on line. I’ve since acquired my own copy of one of these replicas and the photos here are much clearer. Click image for … Continue reading
Category Archives: Columbia River Special
Ostensibly published by the Franco-American Branch of the American Good Will Association, this booklet promotes the 1926 Columbia River Historical Expedition. The booklet claims the trip was “being organized under the leadership of” the governors of Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, … Continue reading
The Minnesota History Center GN archive is full of little items relating to the Columbia River Historical Expedition. One of the educational features of the expedition was a museum car, curated by the Minnesota Historical Society’s Willoughby Babcock. This brochure … Continue reading
This poster advertises the Indian Congress and other events taking place at the Fort Union site during the Columbia River Expedition. Posters like this one brought thousands of people from Montana and North Dakota to join expedition members in witnessing … Continue reading
The on-board stationery for the Upper Missouri Expedition included an image of the gold seal, leather strip, and beads that were attached to the expedition’s invitation. The stationery for the Columbia River Expedition was much simpler, merely giving the name … Continue reading
This sixteen-page menu presents 22 different meals served on board the train during the Columbia River Historical Expedition. Meals not shown were served off the train. One page shows a condensed, round-trip itinerary from Chicago to Seaside, Oregon, and back. … Continue reading
Great Northern’s invitation to the Upper Missouri Historical Expedition was bigger than 13″ by 20″, and I’ve never seen one folded so it must have been delivered in an even bigger envelope. This invitation to the Columbia River Historical Expedition … Continue reading
Janet Nolan was born on November 9, 1907 to Thomas and Barbara Ziegler Nolan. Though born in Washington, she went to high school in St. Paul where she won an oratorical contest that earned her a trip on the 1926 … Continue reading
In 1832, the American Fur Company struck a number of medals bearing the image of John Jacob Astor, the company founder, to give to friendly Native Americans at Fort Union. Today, only seven silver and five copper medals are still … Continue reading
In 1743, the Verendrye Expedition reached a point in what is now South Dakota and buried a lead plate marking their visit in the name of the king of France. In 1908, some children playing in a field near Pierre … Continue reading